Lebo’s Happ an All-American

Ian Happ

Ian Happ of Mt. Lebanon added another accolade to his name as the University of Cincinnati baseball player was named a first team freshman All-American by Perfect Game.

Happ started all 56 games for the Bearcats and led the team with 41 runs scored, 13 doubles, six homeruns and 47 walks. He recorded a team-high .322 batting average, .483 slugging percentage and a .451 on-base percentage. His 47 walks led the Big East Conference while he placed fifth with 25 stolen bases.

Perfect Game selected Happ as the best freshman second baseman in the nation. He was the only member of the Big East Conference named to the first team and one of only two selected to the All-American list.

Previously, he was named a 2013 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association freshman All-American.

A four-year letterwinner at Mt. Lebanon, he helped guide the Blue Devils to a top eight finish in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association last year. Named Almanac MVP, he accumulated a .449 career average with 33 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs and 65 RBIs in four seasons. He served as team captain his junior and senior seasons and was named to the all-section team.

Nominated for the New York Yankees East Coast Pro Showcase/Area Code game in 2011, Happ also received a 2012 Rawlings All-Atlantic Region honorable mention from Perfect Game.

The 19-year-old son of Keith and Mary Beth Happ is majoring in economics. He has one older brother, Chris, who played baseball at Duquense from 2006-2010.

Bittel stars

After being named Pitcher of the Week earlier in the season, Mike Bittel of McMurray was selected as an all-star in the New York College Baseball League. Bittel competed for Roberto’s Kids, which edged Second Impact, 8-7, at McDonough Park in Geneva.

Founded by Oneonta Outlaws President and General Manager, Steve Pindar, Roberto’s Kids strives to develop social responsibility through baseball. Named after MLB Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente, Roberto’s Kids works to provide equipment to needy children throughout North and Central America. With the endorsement of the Clemente family, Roberto’s Kids has overseen numerous drives and collections since 1999.

The Second Impact is dedicated to increasing awareness of the risks involving double impact brain injuries. Geneva Red Wings and Twins strength and conditioning coach, Ray Ciancaglini, a former prize fighter, founded The Second Impact after he was diagnosed with Dementia Pugilistica – a neurological disorder common among career boxers and others who receive numerous blows to the head.

Meanwhile, the 6-1, 198-pound right-handed pitcher for the Syracuse Junior Chiefs is 3-0 with a 0.84 ERA. In 32 innings, Bittel has struck out 28 batters, walked 10 and scattered 22 hits.

Collegiality, Bittel competes for Seton-Hill University. In his first season on the mound, he posted a 4-0 mark with three saves. He maintained a 3.89 ERA.

The Peters Township graduate had three wins, an ERA of 1.70 and 67 strikeouts in 49 1/3 innings as a senior.